Home Intruders Tie Up 85-Year-Old Man & Rob At Gunpoint

By
Emma Koch - 21Alive
By
Rachel Martin - 21Alive

August 13, 2013Updated Aug 13, 2013 at 4:48 PM EST

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) -- An elderly resident of the 3600 block of Knoll Rd. is recovering Tuesday after three people tied him up with duct tape, robbed him at gunpoint and then handed him a pair of scissors so he could cut himself free.

It happened between midnight and 1 a.m. Monday. Kenneth Spillers, 85, was home alone working in his basement where he fixes bicycles when he heard a knock at the door. A 5'8" white male, approximately 23-years old, and 160 lbs. was at his back door and told him that his car had broken down and he needed to use a phone.

When Spillers let the man in, the man asked Spillers what he did for a living and Spillers offered to show him the bikes downstairs. As they were returning upstairs, a second suspect entered the home wearing a white mask and carrying a black gun.

The second suspect, a 6' white male wearing black clothing, told Spillers "Do what I say and you won't get hurt. I've been to prison and I don't want to go back. I will kill you if I have to," according to police reports.

Spillers was told to duct tape is arms and legs and after he was restrained the armed robbers asked him where the money was located. Spillers tried to explain that he did not have any money.

The two men took Spillers' wallet and an undisclosed amount of cash and then made him lay on the kitchen floor while a third suspect entered the home. Two of the subjects searched the home and took a gold ring containing a square black onyx and five diamonds, several rolls of collectable quarters and cash.

After the robbers had what they wanted, they handed Spillers a pair of scissors so he could cut himself free and told him they were going to call 911 to get him help.

The suspects then fled on foot out the back door. Spillers got to a phone and called his daughter and grandson who in turn called 911.

If you have any information on this crime or know who the suspects are, call CrimeStoppers at 260-436-STOP.

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